Editorial services
Editing that argues with the book, not the author.
Structural editing, line editing, copy editing and proofreading — each with a defined scope, a named editor and a query log you can read.
Overview
Four different kinds of reading, often confused for one another.
Most disappointment with editing comes from a mismatch of expectation: an author commissions a proofread and hopes for a structural rescue, or pays for a developmental edit and receives comma corrections.
We separate the four levels explicitly, tell you which one your manuscript is ready for, and refuse the ones that would waste your money. A book that still needs its chapters reordered should not be copy edited yet.
Every level ends with the same two artefacts: the marked-up file and a query log recording each judgement call and how it was resolved. Your decision always governs the final text.
What is included
Scope, in detail.
Everything listed here appears as a line item in your written scope, with the responsible lead named.
01
Manuscript assessment
A written report on what the book is doing well, what is not yet working, and which editorial level it needs next.
02
Developmental editing
Structure, argument, pacing and chapter order, delivered as a plan you approve before revisions start.
03
Line editing
Sentence-level work on rhythm, clarity and register, preserving the voice rather than standardising it.
04
Copy editing
Grammar, consistency, factual cross-checks and adherence to an agreed per-title style sheet.
05
Proofreading
Final pass on typeset pages or EPUB: spacing, hyphenation, running heads, captions and residual typos.
06
Style sheet design
A per-title reference for spellings, capitalisation, numerals and series conventions, reusable for sequels.
07
Fact and reference checking
Verification of names, dates, quotations and citations for non-fiction, with sources noted.
08
Translated-text review
Editing of translated manuscripts against the source by an editor who reads both languages.
09
Sensitivity and accuracy reads
Arranged on request with readers briefed on the specific concern, reported to you directly.
Method
How the work runs.
Each stage ends with something you can read, hear or check before the next stage starts.
Stage one
Sample and diagnosis
We edit a short sample at no charge to demonstrate approach, and tell you which editorial level the manuscript actually needs.
Stage two
Scope and style sheet
A written scope naming the level, the editor, the schedule and the style authority for the title.
Stage three
First pass
The edit is delivered in instalments where the manuscript is long, so you see the approach early.
Stage four
Query resolution
You answer the query log; we implement your decisions and record them for later volumes.
Stage five
Second pass
A clean read of the revised text to catch anything introduced during revision.
Stage six
Handover
Clean file, tracked file, style sheet and resolved query log delivered together.
Deliverables
What you receive.
Files, documents and reports are yours. We keep no rights over deliverables beyond what a signed agreement states.
Marked-up manuscript
Tracked-change file showing every intervention, so nothing is changed invisibly.
Clean manuscript
The accepted text, ready for typesetting or translation.
Query log
Each judgement call, the options considered and the decision you made.
Style sheet
The conventions applied, yours to reuse across editions, formats and sequels.
Reference
Choosing the right level.
If you are unsure, the sample edit settles it. Rates and lead times are quoted per manuscript, based on length and condition.
| Level | What it addresses | Right stage | Indicative lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Whether the book works, and why | Any draft | 2–3 weeks |
| Developmental edit | Structure, arc, argument | Complete draft | 5–8 weeks |
| Line edit | Rhythm, clarity, register | Structure settled | 4–7 weeks |
| Copy edit | Grammar, consistency, style | Text final | 3–5 weeks |
| Proofread | Errors on final pages | After typesetting | 1–3 weeks |
| Translated-text review | Fidelity and target-language quality | After translation | 3–6 weeks |
Scale
Context for planning.
Indicative figures to help you plan. Project-specific numbers are always confirmed in your quotation.
0
Distinct editorial levels, never blended
0
Passes included at every level
0
Style sheet per title, kept for reuse
0
Silent changes to your text
Questions
Frequently asked.
Which level does my manuscript need?
Send it and we will tell you, with reasons. If it needs less work than you expected, we say so and quote for less.
Will editing change my voice?
No. Line editing works with your voice; where a change would alter it, the query log asks you instead of deciding for you.
Do you edit non-English manuscripts?
Yes, in our working languages, and translated texts are always reviewed against the source.
Can I commission just a proofread?
Yes, once the text is final. We will tell you honestly if the manuscript is not ready for that level yet.
Next step
Ask for a sample edit
A few pages tell you more about an editor than any brochure. We return the sample with a diagnosis and no obligation.